Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
SHROUD ASSEMBLY WITH AXIAL MOVEMENT PREVENTION
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] Production of hydrocarbons from loose, unconsolidated, and/or
fractured
formations often produces large volumes of particulates along with the
formation
fluids. These particulates can cause a variety of problems. For this reason,
operators
use gravel packing as a common technique for controlling the production of
such
particulates.
[0002] To gravel pack a completion, a screen is lowered on a workstring
into the
wellbore and is placed adjacent the subterranean formation. Particulate
material,
collectively referred to as "gravel," and a carrier fluid, is pumped as slurry
down the
workstring. Eventually, the slurry exits through a "cross-over" into the
wellbore
annulus formed between the screen and the wellbore.
[0003] The carrier fluid in the slurry normally flows into the formation
and/or
through the screen. However, the screen is sized so that gravel is prevented
from
flowing through the screen. This results in the gravel being deposited or
"screened
out" in the annulus between the screen and the wellbore to form a gravel-pack
around
the screen. Moreover, the gravel is sized so that it forms a permeable mass
that
allows produced fluids to flow through the mass and into the screen but blocks
the
flow of particulates into the screen.
[0004] Due to poor distribution of the gravel, it is often difficult to
completely pack
the entire length of the wellbore annulus around the screen. This can result
in an
interval within the annulus that is not completely gravel packed. The poor
distribution
of gravel is often caused by the carrier liquid in the slurry being lost to
more
permeable portions of the formation. Due to the loss of the carrier liquid
however, the
gravel in the slurry forms "sand bridges" in the annulus before all of the
gravel has
been placed around the screen.
[0005] Such bridges block further flow of the slurry through the annulus,
thereby
preventing the placement of sufficient gravel below the bridge in top-to-
bottom
packing operations or above the bridge in bottom-to-top packing operations.
Alternate flow conduits, called shunt tubes, can alleviate this bridging
problem by
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providing a flow path for the slurry around such sand bridges. The shunt tubes
are
typically run along the length of the screen and are attached to the screen by
welds.
[0006] There is a need for a shroud assembly to protect the jumper tube
connection assembly.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] So that the manner in which the above recited features of the
present
invention can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the
invention,
briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to embodiments, some of
which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however,
that the
appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and
are
therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may
admit to
other equally effective embodiments.
[0008] Figure 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a shroud assembly.
[0009] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the shroud assembly of Figure
1.
[0010] Figure 3 is an end view of the shroud assembly.
[0011] Figure 4 shows the shroud assembly assembled on the screen.
[0012] Figure 5 illustrate another embodiment of a shroud assembly.
[0013] Figure 6 is an end view of the shroud assembly.
[0014] Figure 7 shows the shroud assembly assembled on the screen.
[0015] Figure 8 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of a shroud
assembly.
[0016] Figure 9 is an enlarged partial view of the shroud assembly.
[0017] Figure 10 is an end view of the shroud assembly.
[0018] Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of the shroud assembly of Figure
8.
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[0019] Figure 12 illustrate an arrangement of nozzles on a shunt tube
string,
according to one embodiment.
[0020] Figure 13 illustrate another arrangement of nozzles on a shunt tube
string, according to one embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] Figure 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a shroud assembly
100.
Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the shroud assembly 100 of Figure 1.
Figure 3
is an end view of the shroud assembly 100. In this embodiment, the shroud
assembly 100 is used to protect a jumper tube assembly 102 for coupling shunt
tubes 106A, 106B attached to a tubular string, such as a screen 105. The
shroud
assembly 100 includes two semi-cylindrical covers 111, 112 having a first end
attachable to a first receiver ring 121 and a second end attachable to a
second
receiver ring 122. In one example, the two covers 111, 112 are attached to the
receiver rings 121, 122 using a pin connection, as shown in Figure 1. In
another
example, the two covers are attached to the receiver rings using a dovetail
connection, as shown in Figure 5 as will be described below.
[0022] As shown in Figure 1, each cover 111, 112 includes one or more pins
125 extending out of each end. For example, three pins 125 extend out of each
end of each cover 111, 112. The pins 125 engage a respective slot 135 formed
on
the exterior surface of the receiver rings 121, 122. In one embodiment, the
first
receiver ring 121 is fixed relative to the screen 105. The second receiver
ring 122
is movable relative to the screen 105 and toward the first receiver ring 121.
In one
embodiment, a plurality of pins 125 are circumferentially spaced around each
cover
111, 112. As shown in Figure 1, three pins 125 are disposed at each end of the
covers 111, 112. In some embodiments, the pins 125 are spaced sufficiently
such
that the covers 111, 112 cannot move radially away from the receiver rings
121,
122. In this respect, the covers 111, 112 are attached to the receiver rings
121,
122 as long as the pins 125 are in the slots 135 of the receiver rings 121,
122.
[0023] The shroud assembly 100 also includes a base ring 140 and an
extender
ring 150. The base ring 140 is attached to the screen 105 and includes grooves
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142 to accommodate the shunt tubes 106A. In this example, the base ring 140
includes a bore 144 for holding the screen 105, and both grooves 142 are
formed
less than 180 degrees apart. The screen bore 144 is an eccentric bore relative
to a
central axis of the base ring 140. One end of the extender ring 150 is
threadedly
coupled to the base ring 140, and the other end of the extender ring 150 abuts
the
second receiver ring 122. The extender ring 150 is configured to move the
second
receiver ring 122 toward the first receiver ring 121. In one example, the
rotation of
the extender ring 150 relative to the base ring 140 causes axial movement of
the
second receiver ring 122 away from the base ring 140 and toward the first
receiver
ring 121. In one embodiment, a torque key 160 extends from a slot 146 in the
base
ring 140 to a slot in the second receiver ring 122. The second receiver ring
122
moves axially relative to the torque key 160.
[0024] During assembly, the pins 125 of the covers 111, 112 are aligned
with
the respective slots 135 of the first and second receiver rings 121, 122. In
this
example, the pins 125 at one end are aligned with the slots 135 of the first
receiver
ring 121 and then inserted to at least partially overlap with the slots 135 of
the first
receiver ring 121. Thereafter, the extender ring 150 is rotated relative to
the base
ring 140 to urge the second receiver ring 122 toward the first receiver ring.
During
movement, the pins 125 at the other end of the cover 111, 121 are aligned and
inserted into the slots 135 of the second receiver ring 122. The extender ring
150
may be rotated until the pins 125 of the covers 111, 112 are prevented from
axially
moving out of disengagement with one of the slots 135. In one example, the
second receiver ring 122 are moved toward the first receiver ring 121 until
the
covers 111, 121 cannot move axially relative to the first receiver ring 121,
thereby
locking the covers 111, 112 in position. Figure 4 shows the shroud assembly
100
assembled on the screen 105. In some embodiments, the covers 111, 112 can be
attached to the first and second receiver rings 121, 122 using a suitable
fastener.
Optionally, holder openings 117, 118 may be formed in each of the covers 111,
112
for connection to a handle to facilitate handling of the covers 111, 112.
[0025] Figure 5 illustrates another embodiment of a shroud assembly 200.
Figure 6 is an end view of the shroud assembly 200. Figure 7 is a perspective
of
the shroud assembly 200 installed on a tubular string. The shroud assembly 200
is
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used to protect a jumper tube assembly 102 for coupling shunt tubes 106A, 106B
attached to a tubular string, such as a screen 105. In this embodiment, the
shroud
assembly 200 uses a dovetail connection for coupling the covers 211, 212 to
the
receiver rings 221, 222. The shroud assembly 200 includes two semi-cylindrical
covers 211, 212 having a first end attachable to a first receiver ring 221 and
a
second end attachable to a second receiver ring 222. Each receiver ring 221,
222
includes a bore 227 to house the screen 105 and includes shunt bores 228 to
accommodate the shunt tubes 106A, 106B. In this example, both shunt bores 228
are formed less than 180 degrees apart. The screen bore 227 is an eccentric
bore
relative to a central axis of the receiver rings 221, 222.
[0026] As
shown in Figure 5, each cover 211, 212 includes one or more
dovetails 225 extending out of each end. For example, three dovetails 225
extend
out of each end of each cover 211, 212. The dovetails 225 engage a respective
slot 235 formed on the exterior surface of the receiver rings 221, 222. In one
embodiment, the first receiver ring 221 is fixed relative to the screen 105.
The
second receiver ring 222 is movable relative to the screen 105 and toward the
first
receiver ring 221. In
one embodiment, a plurality of dovetails 225 are
circumferentially spaced around each cover 211, 212. As shown in Figure 5,
three
dovetails 225 are disposed at each end of the covers 211, 212. In some
embodiments, the dovetails 225 are spaced apart sufficiently such that the
covers
211, 212 cannot move radially away from the receiver rings 221, 222. In this
respect, the covers 211, 212 are attached to the receiver rings 221, 222 as
long as
the dovetails 225 are in the slots 235 of the receiver rings 221, 222 and
cannot
move axially out of engagement with the slots 235. In this example, a dovetail
225
is located at opposite edges of the end of the cover 111, 112. In some
embodiments, the dovetails 225 at located at the edges are smaller in width
than
the dovetail 225 located between them.
[0027] The
shroud assembly 200 also includes a base ring 240 and an extender
ring 250. The base ring 240 is attached to the screen 105 and includes grooves
242 to accommodate the shunt tubes 106A. In this example, the base ring 240
includes a bore for holding the screen 105, and both grooves 242 are formed
less
than 180 degrees apart. The screen bore is an eccentric bore relative to a
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axis of the base ring 240. One end of the extender ring 250 is threadedly
coupled
to the base ring 240, and the other end of the extender ring 250 abuts the
second
receiver ring 222. The extender ring 250 is configured to move the second
receiver
ring 222 toward the first receiver ring 221. In one example, the rotation of
the
extender ring 250 relative to the base ring 240 causes axial movement of the
second receiver ring 222 away from the base ring 240 and toward the first
receiver
ring 221. In one embodiment, a torque key 260 extends from a slot in the base
ring
240 to a slot in the second receiver ring 222. The second receiver ring 222
moves
axially relative to the torque key 260.
[0028] During assembly, the dovetails 225 of the covers 211, 212 are
aligned
with the respective slots 235 of the first and second receiver rings 221, 222.
In this
example, the dovetails 225 at one end are aligned with the slots 235 of the
first
receiver ring 221 and then inserted to at least partially overlap with the
slots 235 of
the first receiver ring 221. Also, the dovetails 225 at the other end of the
cover 211,
221 are aligned and inserted into the slots 235 of the second receiver ring
222.
Thereafter, the extender ring 250 is rotated relative to the base ring 240 to
urge the
second receiver ring 222 toward the first receiver ring. The extender ring 250
may
be rotated until the dovetails 225 of the covers 211, 212 are prevented from
axially
moving out of disengagement with one of the slots 235. In one example, the
second receiver ring 222 are moved toward the first receiver ring 221 until
the
covers 211, 221 cannot move axially relative to the first receiver ring 221,
thereby
locking the covers 211, 212 in position. Figure 7 shows the shroud assembly
200
assembled on the screen 105. In some embodiments, the covers 211, 212 can be
attached to the first and second receiver rings 221, 222 using a suitable
fastener.
[0029] Figure 8 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of a shroud
assembly
300. Figure 9 is an enlarged partial view of the shroud assembly 300. Figure
10 is
an end view of the shroud assembly 300. Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of
the
receiver ring of the shroud assembly 300 of Figure 8. In this embodiment, the
shroud assembly 300 is used to protect a jumper tube assembly 302 for coupling
shunt tubes 306 attached to a tubular string, such as a screen 105. The shroud
assembly 300 includes two semi-cylindrical covers 311 (only one shown for
clarity)
having a first end attached to a first receiver ring 321 and a second end
attachable
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to a second receiver ring 322. The receiver rings 321, 322 are made of two
semi-
circular halves that are pivotally coupled to each other using a hinge 323.
The
receiver rings 321, 322 have an inner profile 339 configured to accommodate
the
screen 105 and the shunt tubes 306A, 306B. In the example shown in Figure 9,
the inner profile 339 accommodating the screen 105 and the shunt tubes 306 is
contiguous. The covers 311, 312 are attached to a flange 324 of the receiver
rings
321, 322. In one example, the flange 324 is formed by welding a flange ring to
the
receiver ring 321, 322. The two halve of the receiver rings 321, 322 may be
locked
together using a fastener 344, such as a screw, a self-retaining mechanism, a
bolt,
or other suitable fasteners. In some embodiments, the flange can be machined
on
the receiving ring.
[0030] The first receiver ring 321 may be positioned adjacent a base ring
318
attached to the screen 105. One or more torque keys 360 extend from a slot in
the
base ring 318 to a slot 327 in the first receiver ring 322. Figure 9 shows two
torque
keys 360 coupling the receiver ring 321 to the base ring 318.
[0031] In one embodiment, an intermediate receiver ring 329 may be used to
extend the length of the shroud assembly 300. In the Figure 8, the
intermediate
receiver ring 329 has a flange 324 on both ends. The flanges 324 allow a cover
311 to be attached to each end of the intermediate receiver ring 329.
[0032] Embodiments of the shroud assembly described herein are suitable for
protecting other downhole devices. For example, the shroud assembly can be
used to protect a wire, cable, coil, electronic devices, and other downhole
devices.
[0033] In some embodiments, the nozzles on the shunt tubes may be
configured
to control the pressure drop along the length of the shunt tubes. In general,
the
shunt tubes transport the slurry along the screen. The nozzles of the shunt
tubes
are used to eject the slurry out into the annular area between the screen and
the
wellbore. In some embodiments, the total amount of fluid outflow at each joint
or
group of joints is different.
[0034] Figure 12 shows a shunt tube having a plurality of joints 401-405,
according to one embodiment. Each joint 401-405 of the shunt tube may have a
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different number of nozzles 411-414. In
particular, the number of nozzles
increases as the shunt tube extend deeper into the wellbore. In one specific
example, a first upper joint may have X number of nozzles, and the next joint
may
have one more nozzle, i.e., X+1 nozzles. The third joint down may have two
more
nozzles. It is contemplated that the number of nozzles on the subsequent joint
may
increase by more than 1, such as by, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 10 nozzles. In this
example, the
uppermost joint, joint 401, does not have any nozzles. The next joint, joint
402, has
a single nozzle 411. Joint 403 has two nozzles 412, and joint 404 has three
nozzles 413. The lowermost joint, joint 405, has four nozzles 414.
[0035] In
another embodiment, a group of joints may have the same number of
nozzles, while the next group of joints may have more or less nozzles. For
example, a group of Z joints may have Y number of nozzles, and the next group
of
Z joints may each have 2 more or fewer nozzles. In the example of Figure 13,
group 1 includes joints 421 and 422. Each of these joints has 2 nozzles 441.
Group 2 includes joints 423 and 424, each of which has 4 nozzles 444.
[0036] In
another embodiment, the size of the nozzles may increase as the
shunt tubes extend deeper into the wellbore. In yet another embodiment, the
size
of the nozzles increase, while the number of nozzles remains the same as the
shunt tubes extend deeper into the wellbore. In yet another embodiment, the
size
and/or the number of nozzles may change as the shunt tubes extend deeper into
the wellbore.
[0037] In
another embodiment, the spacing of the nozzles may change as the
shunt tubes extend deeper into the wellbore. For example, the spacing of
nozzles
may decrease as the shunt tubes extend deeper into the wellbore.
[0038] In
some embodiments, a tubular string assembly includes a plurality of
receiver rings; a tubular string disposed through the plurality of receiver
rings; a
shunt tube assembly supported by the plurality of receiver rings, the shunt
tube
assembly including a jumper tube assembly; and two semi-cylindrical covers
disposed attached to the plurality of receiver rings and enclosed around the
tubular
string.
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[0039] In one or more of the embodiments described herein, the assembly
includes an extender ring configured to move a first receiver ring toward a
second
receiver ring.
[0040] In one or more of the embodiments described herein, wherein the
covers
enclose the jumper tube assembly.
[0041] In one embodiment, a shroud assembly includes two semi-cylindrical
covers having a connector at each end; a plurality of receiver rings for
supporting
the covers and engaging the connector; and an extender ring configured to move
a
first receiver ring toward a second receiver ring.
[0042] In one or more of the embodiments described herein, the assembly
includes a base ring coupled to the extender ring.
[0043] In one or more of the embodiments described herein, the extender
ring is
rotatable relative to the base ring.
[0044] In one or more of the embodiments described herein, the extender
ring is
disposed between the base ring and the first receiver ring.
[0045] In one or more of the embodiments described herein, the first
receiver
ring is axially movable relative to the base ring.
[0046] In one or more of the embodiments described herein, the assembly
includes a torque key coupled to the base ring and the first receiver ring.
[0047] In one or more of the embodiments described herein, the plurality of
receiver rings include a slot for engaging the connector.
[0048] In one or more of the embodiments described herein, the connector is
moved axially into engagement with the slot.
[0049] In one or more of the embodiments described herein, the covers
cannot
move radially relative to the plurality of receiver rings.
[0050] In one or more of the embodiments described herein, the connector
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comprises a plurality of pins.
[0051] In one or more of the embodiments described herein, the connector
comprises a plurality of dovetails.
[0052] In one or more of the embodiments described herein, the shroud
assembly encloses a device selected from the group consisting of a shunt tube,
a
wire, a cable, a coil, an electronic devices, and combinations thereof.
[0053] In some embodiments, a shroud assembly includes a plurality of
receiver
rings, each ring having two portions pivotally coupled to each other; two semi-
cylindrical covers attached to the plurality of receiver rings; and a fastener
for
locking the two portions together.
[0054] In one or more of the embodiments described herein, the plurality of
receiver rings include a flange for attaching the covers.
[0055] In one or more of the embodiments described herein, the flange is
formed by attaching a flange ring to the plurality of receiver rings.
[0056] In one or more of the embodiments described herein, the flange is
machined onto the plurality of receiver rings.
[0057] In one or more of the embodiments described herein, the plurality of
receiver rings include an inner profile for accommodating a screen and a tube.
[0058] In one or more of the embodiments described herein, the assembly
includes a base ring rotationally fixed relative to the plurality of receiver
rings.
[0059] In some embodiments, a shunt tube assembly includes a plurality of
joints of shunt tube, each of the joints include at least one nozzle, wherein
a first
joint located adjacent to a second joint has a different fluid outflow than
the second
joint.
[0060] In one or more of the embodiments described herein, the first joint
and
the second joint have a different number of nozzles.
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[0061] In one or more of the embodiments described herein, three adjacent
joints have a different number of nozzles.
[0062] In one or more of the embodiments described herein, the number of
nozzles increases with respect to the joints in descending order.
[0063] In one or more of the embodiments described herein, a third joint
located
adjacent to the second joint has the same number of nozzles as the second
joint.
[0064] In one or more of the embodiments described herein, a size of a
nozzle
of the first joint is different from a size of a nozzle of the second joint.
[0065] While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present
invention,
other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without
departing
from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof is determined by the
claims
that follow.
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